Music / Idols
20110928_seoulbeats_tablo

Tablo Decides To Get Real

22
Written by On September 28, 2011

Epik High member Tablo has finally reappeared. After a two-year hiatus, most likely due to the his new family and diploma scandal, Tablo has signed a exclusive 4-year contract with YG Entertainment. It has been stated that his solo activities with YG will not involve Epik High as a group and that his first solo album is set to drop November 1st.

For many, Tablo is no ordinary idol: he is a [proven] Standford University graduate with both a Bachelors degree in English Literature and a Masters degree in Creative Writing; he and Epik High entered the music scene with original indie and hip-hop sounds and survived the turmoil that is the korean music industry even when their music genres were not popular; he’s weathered the dark days of parting with Epik High’s former entertainment company, Woolim Entertainment, and honed the skill and craft with his Epik High members to establish their independent record label Map the Soul. Tablo is no pushover. He has always been a story of triumph and a beacon of musical genius.

Fans across the spectrum are torn between love and hate about the announcement. Fear struck the hearts of many when the news about Tablo signing with a major idol company broke out-fear that perhaps original Tablo may be compromised with the stain of candy-flavored idol influences. Some ventured even further and expressed their disgust at the thoughts of Tablo being featured in a Big Bang or 2NE1 production, most likely due the polarity in Tablo’s and the YG idols’ musical appeals. I dont think these fears are far-fetched, and in fact, I dread the idea as much as the next Tablo fan. But I also think that Tablo is not that stupid–he’s known for being true to himself and true to his music, and I dont think YG’s intent for having him is for boosting his others idols reps. So for those with rattling fears, be calm. Both are musical masterminds, they’ll figure something out.

Now I actually would like to take a moment to give YG a pat on the back-it’s not everyday that you see a mainstream entertainment company diversifying like this. Yes, Tablo’s beautiful YG actress wife Kang Hye Jung played a key role in making it happen by introducing YG’s CEO and Tablo. But that doesn’t mean this is not a good decision: YG takes on Tablo and garners a whole new market in the indie/underground realm while also, perhaps more inadvertently, promotes a more unique and lesser known musical style.

I’m glad to see Tablo coming back to music with some serious plans. His music is truly without comparison, and with the Epik High members in and out of the military and busy trying to have lives of their own, it’s promising to see that Tablo is still interested in pursuing music, even if it is done independently. With the chaos around him finally settling, I think we can all breath a sigh of relief knowing there will be at least one quality album coming out this fall.

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  • izabela_paltin

    I am actually really happy he signed with yg. I mean Epik High and Big Bang were the first bands i loved so a collaboration would be awesome <3. And since Tablo is a freaking genius when it comes to composing songs maybe he can give tips and advice to G-dragon Teddy etc (not that they are not amazing). Anyway I really wish him luck with Yg and hope they can keep bringing us great music since that is what i love them for <3

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1454993355 Kokonoe Stein

      agree 100%

  • Literati Tempo

    Nah YG has the backing to provide Tablo with the equipment and funding he needs to do his own thing. Plus he’s not going to force him into a ton of variety programs. Like it or not BB + 2NE1 are helping a lot of older YG peoples do their thing without worrying about $$ as much as a smaller company. Psy, Gummy and Se7en while all great haven’t been selling tons but because YG can take it they can keep doing music as they like at their own pace. I think it’s great for Tablo, YG, and Lady Blo.

  • braveviet Le

    Actually I like the idea. To be honest I am not impressed with Epik High’s latest release. I much more like their previous works. Feeling like they are losing their inspiration. “Colab” with YG might bring something new into the music. I am looking forward to it. I don’t worry at all, they both know what they are doing.

  • Anonymous

    YGE is really good about letting artists do whatever they want while keeping his hands off so I think Tablo will have 100% freedom to do what he does best as he always has done, while YGE will just provide the funds to bring Tablo’s music to an even larger audience and give him the resources and equipment to explore his musical interests. I dont think YG is the kind to force collaborations, so if Tablo ends up working with groups like big bang it will be because he wanted to.

  • His Mom

    I don’t think anyone understands how horrible the diploma issue was for him. His family was constantly threatened, when his child was born, he feared getting physically hurt, in fact, a hate group against him still exists today. 

    For this, I’m glad he joined an incredibly reputable company. I’m sure everyone who knows K-Pop, knows why YG, and this might be what he needed to get back into the music scene.

    I hope this doesn’t mark the end of Epik High.. or Tukutz for that matter, who just came out of military service (Mirtha is currently serving now). I can’t wait for his comeback and Epik High will forever be my favorite Korean group :3

    • windyalchemist

      I don’t think we have to worry about Epik High, Tablo has stated that they aren’t breaking up, merely taking a hiatus until Mithra come backs :D And I think I heard Tukutz is also going to release an album soon :D

  • Tigana

    Not a fan of YG (or YG stans, who are so effin obnoxious), but YG is well respect by Korean underground scene. I see no harm in this.

    I am a fan of Tablo, but I think people often exaggerate in their praises of him – his songs are mad good, but as for his being “underground” and “not for sale” – not true. He sand songs on worker’s freedom and in the meantime shot the commercial for Samsung that is notorious for awful working conditions/overtimes.
    Just sayin’. Not that I don’t understand him, I’d do the same, it’s just that he ain’t no Martin Luther King of k-underground.

  • Mer

    Also considering YG’s “partnership” with Luda…..  It might be a good place for him. 

  • H Lee

    agreed that I know for sure that we’ll have at least one amazing album this fall, I doubt YG will screw over his music just to make it “k-pop”. I’m just hoping that there will be epik high in the future with all 3 members.

  • Anonymous

    I feel like this writer doesn’t know much about YGFamily/Ent. 
    YG started off as underground pretty much. 
    YG still has underground streams.
    YG has underground clubs and artists.
    Top was an awarded underground rapper. 
    BigBang and Epik High have already collaborated on a special stage back in the day when Kpop wasn’t so saturated. 
    oh on a side note, Dumbfounded also just signed with YG! 
    YG does not only have BigBang and 2NE1 alone =___=

    • Jai. B

      WHEN DID HE SIGN?! I’M SPAZZING RIGHT NAOW XD

    • Kpopboi

      He did ?!
      Show me some sources… this is indeed intriguing..

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_MEGAH5NUOS6RD2OYMMJ4XS2LCY MariaI

      Dumfounded did not sign wid YG. He was just congratulating Tablo.

    • http://evacuatewithstyle.org/blog Amy

      How did YG “start off” as “underground”? YG himself was a member of one of the LEAST underground groups in Korea. Jinusean was the second artist on YG’s roster to debut and they achieved mainstream success after their debut.

      You make it seem like they’re some underground messiah. Yeah they might have underground this and that, but the fact of the matter is that they’re advertised as a very mainstream company and don’t nearly put as much money and effort into their non-mainstream acts.

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_FS52P3WGP37JJ6YJNRLPPBVS4E A

      I think there’s a mixup between slang and real definitions.

      Underground, underrated, non-mainstream, and indie dont necessarily mean the same things even though (in slang) we use them similarly.

      Underground/indie usually means there’s an independent label or no label involved and most people only know them through word of mouth, club scene, and (nowadays) the internet. Even if they’re famous, they tend to stick to small venues, non-broadcasting events, and (in korean terms) haven’t made a debut.

      Since YG is a big 3 ent company, I dont think anyone associated with them would be considered underground.

  • kc

    I think that this is a bit more of a good sign then bad, when Tablo left us during his scandal he looked as though he were a broken man and he’s already admitted to have gone through depression… and really, depression isn’t something you just stop being, I’ve gone through depression my self and while I’m considered “cured” of it, there are times, almost as though it’s a switch, where I feel as though I’m an empty shell, as though every bit of light in the world has been taken away…
    I guess that’s why I empathize with Tablo, we don’t share the same political views, religious views ect but the fact that he’s gone through something similar to me makes me fell as close as a fan and an artist can be and also makes me worry about him.
    going into this contract (I think) could be the result of two reasons, he’s gotten his depression under control a bit or he wants to beat it down a bit by going back to the things he loved… I mean there are probably other factors as well, I’m in no way saying what I’ve stated above are facts, this is just the way I think.
    Tablo isn’t someone who’d sell his soul, I doubt he’d go into a company with the mind set that he’d do what ever music he was given, he’s just not that kind of person, and his personal level with his wife and now boss probably gives him alot of freedom. we all have to remember, Tablo is a grown man, a grown man that has proven over and over that he can write lyrics and isn’t afraid to be himself.
    I could be wrong, but I don’t think we have alot to worry about, Toblo’s not a newby looking over the fine print, he’s been through hell and back for crying out loud, I like to think this guy’s gonna give us something great.

  • YAY

    …. didn’t Tablo play G-dragon in wannabe???…. w/e im happy for tablo and i love me some epik high i’m just happy he’ll be able to do his own thing under a major label 

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_FS52P3WGP37JJ6YJNRLPPBVS4E A

    That’s interesting. Epik High’s jumping around from label, to indie, to non-mainstream, to big time is an interesting map of their career (and music) direction.

    Perhaps the only thing I have against this is the fact that YG-stans will have more of a reason to gloat.

  • kat

    This will be…interesting…I think this will be benificial on both sides. I definitely agree that YG is pretty good with letting his artists do what they want and Tablo I think will be a good addition to influence both Big Bang and 2ne1. I’d like to think he has some higher purpose in YGE, like influencing 2 of the biggest KPOP groups of this time. I’d prefer that Tablo produces for them and not feature in their songs. Right now it’s pretty much the same producers, who knows what kind of music they would create with a Tablo/2ne1 or Tablo/BB combination?

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